Unit 1: Foundations

8,000 B.C.E.-600 B.C.E.

 Tabs
1.1 Big Geography & Peopling the
Earth
1.2 Neolithic Rev. & Early Agricultural
Societies
1.3 Development & Interaction of Early
Societies
1.1 Big Geography & Peopling the Earth

I. Paleolithic Era- hunting-foraging

bands migrated from E. Africa to
Eurasia, Australia, & Americas
Adapt technology & culture to climate
Fire used for hunting, protection, &
adaption to climate
Tools for different environments
Economic structures= small kinship
groups
1.2 Neolithic Rev. & Early Agricultural Societies

Pastoral Society Agricultural Society

Smaller
Mobile Dependent on same
Focus on soil
hunting/gathering Larger civilizations
Better adaption to Sedentary
environment Animal husbandry
Animal husbandry
 1.2 Neolithic Rev. & Early Agricultural Societies

Neolithic Rev. began b/c:

need for a long-term reliable source of
food
people experimented with plants
need for political and social organization
Accident
I. 10,000 yrs ago, Neolithic Rev led to
new complex economic & social
systems
 1.2 Neolithic Rev. & Early Agricultural Societies

A. In response to climate change,

permanent settlements arose in:
Mesopotamia
Nile River
Sub-Sahara Africa
Indus River
Yellow/Huang He River
Mesoamerica & Andes
B. Pastoralism developed in Afro-
Eurasia
 1.2 Neolithic Rev. & Early Agricultural Societies

C. Different crops & animals

domesticated
D. Cleared land, created water control
systems (irrigation)
E. Agricultural practices impacted
environmental diversity
II. Transformation of human societies
More reliable and abundant food
supplies= increased pop.
 1.2 Neolithic Rev. & Early Agricultural Societies

Specialization of labor (artisans,

warriors, elites)
Technology led to improvements in
agricultural production, trade, &
transport
In both pastoralist and agrarian
societies, elite groups accumulated
wealth, creating more hierarchical
social structures and promoting
patriarchal forms of social
 1.3 Development & Interaction of Early Societies

I. Foundation civilizations developed in

various geographic locations where
agriculture flourished
 1.3 Development & Interaction of Early Societies

II.
.3 Development & Interaction of Early Soci
 1.3 Development & Interaction of Early Societies

States mobilized labors over large areas;

rulers consolidated power through divine
right
As states grew and competed for land and
resources, the more favorably situated had
greater access to resources (Hittites' access
to iron, produced more surplus food, and
experienced growth populations). These
states were able to undertake territorial
expansion and conquer surrounding states.
 1.3 Development & Interaction of Early Societies

Pastoralists developed new weapons &

modes of transportation= transformed
warfare in agrarian civilizations.
III. Culture unified states through law,
language, literature, religion, myths and
monumental art
Architecture & city-planning
Elites promoted arts
Record keeping
Legal Codes (Code of Hammurabi)
1.3 Development & Interaction of Early Societies

Trade expanded throughout this period

from local to regional and trans-regional,
with civilizations exchanging goods,
cultural ideas, and technology.
Social and gender hierarchies intensified
as states expanded and cities multiplied
Literature reflected culture (Epic of
Gilgamesh, Book of the Dead)